Roy Kelly

Mead was not picked in the squad announced on Monday night for the Euro 2017 qualifier against Estonia – despite being the leading scorer in the Women’s Super League.

There are a lot of players, not just Beth, who have been playing well for their clubs and look in a good place

MARK SAMPSON

The Echo reported on Monday night that England forward Toni Duggan was struggling with an ankle injury which could open up the possibility of a call-up for the 11-goal Sunderland striker.

Duggan has today been ruled out for the remainder of WSL season, her club, Manchester City, have announced.

It means the 24-year-old has withdrawn from the England squad for the match in Tallinn on Monday September 21.

But the FA have said that she will not be replaced.

Duggan was injured by a tackle from behind by Liverpool’s Natasha Dowie in the Continental Cup tie last week.

Mead’s exclusion from Mark Chapman’s first squad since England finished third at the World Cup in Canada in the summer has caused a great deal of surprise in the game.

Speaking on the Women’s Football Show on Monday night, he said England’s match against Estonia has “given us the opportunity to bring in players who are on form domestically and shown a lot of quality over the last 12 months”.

Few have demonstrated those credentials like Mead, but the 20-year-old has still not been selected.

Sampson, when asked by presenter Jacqui Oatley about the Sunderland striker, seemed to evade the question.

“There are a lot of players, not just Beth, who have been playing well for their clubs and look in a good place,” he told the BBC. “But at this given time we felt this was the right blend and mix we needed for the team going forward.”